This is also contrary to the trend of other municipalities that are reducing or waiving fees to encourage development. Port Colborne just waived the municipal development charges for two years and the Region is waiving a good portion of development fees for projects within CIPs that exhibit smart growth principles.

To be clear, these appear to be Planning fees, fees assessed to developers when applications are submitted. Not fees directly paid by builders in the form of development charges or permit fees. Mr Editor, is this correct?

Yes. According to the report, builders had been required to pay these engineering review fees at the end rather than make deposits up front at a rate of “3-4 per cent” of construction costs (quote from report). Deposits are calculated by number of lots in subdivision: 3 to 10 for $1,500 etc. up to $12,000 for over 40. Single lots are determined by area: under 1,00 square metres for $1,200 etc up to $7,400 for more than 4,000 square metres.

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